symtoms: rough idle, lots of blow by, dip stick shoots out steam like a choo choo train, check engine light on, check engine light blinks a lot.

what's known: compression- 190 70 185 185
codes: scanned p0302 (#2misfire)
key dance: 1,2,4,2,4,2,4,3,4,3,1,7,5,5
Wondering why same code is given twice here :shrug

42(fuel pump relay contrl?)
43 (multiple misfires detected)
17(cold engine not warming up) thermo is good.

I guess my next diagnose would be to perform a leak down test to locate the actual problem, hopefully. Is my engine due for a rebuild? i sure hope not.

changed out spark plugs, awaiting msd ignition coil and wires. doubt this will do anything tho considernig my #2cylinder's compression.

If your #2 cylinder is at 70 for compression and you have steam from the dipstick, you need a rebuild. At least tear down and new gaskets if not more. There is no reason to do a leakdown if your compression is at 70 cause it has to be at least a headgaket issue and if you are going to do why not take advanage and do the rebuild.

I wouldn't say there's NO reason to do a leakdown test, since you can't just point to a HG as the only possible problem. The leakdown test is done to confirm where the pressure is finding its way out. Valves, rings, and HG's are the most obvious places.

Cylinder #2's compression is obviously what's causing your problems of stumbing and rough idling and so on. Duh.

I initially thought "oh, the rings are bad!" but then, the question is, your rings are obviously fine on your other cylinders, so why would it be just number two? You mentioned misfires in your CEL's, and my thought then changed to a cylinder specific problem, like a bad injector or plug or something that caused damage in that cylinder.

Lots of blowby and steam out the dipstick are indications that the combustion force is making its way past the piston and into the crankcase. I then started suspecting a melted piston.

Sufficed to say, you'll have to tear this apart to fix it. You could do the leakdown test to confirm that it's not the valves instead of something else before you tear into it though.

After you get this fixed , I would look into having the injectors cleaned, and new plugs and wires. I wonder if the cylinder got too hot (lack of fuel) and something happened in there that caused your problems. My buddy's did this when his injector died, and he melted a piston.

Brian

try to perform a wet cylinder leak test on cylinder #2. Squirt 2 squirts of oil into the cylinder and see if the pressure it can hold goes up significantly, if it does than I would say maybe piston rings because the oil is filling the void. If it doesn't go up at all then the problem could be valve related though I doubt it since you are getting puffs out of the dip stick. Also listen/feel for where the air is escaping, intake, exhaust, dip stick, etc.

low compression + high crankcase pressure = Broken ring land or blown headgasket.

thanks for the info, i will definitely perform leakdown tomorrow. I was hoping all i had to do was add water to my windsheild wiper container to fix the problem, but somehow i knew i'd have to do tear down. This is gonna suck as i just started the new semester and can't affod down time. Never done a tear down so i WILL have lots of down time. I guess i will 1st check the injector to see if it caused my #2 to fail.

Well if i tear it down, i guess i could give a rebuild a chance and become broke. oh well.

How long did it take to do your first tear down/rebuild? ever since i stepped foot into 2gnt i've done my own work on everything and will continue to do so, because paying a mechanic is no longer an option (besides prepping the block of course)

Anyone have a 2.4 block sitting around? More downtime but why not go for pro! :-)

What's your oil look like? Puffs of steam are coming out of the dipstick? I would think you'd have checked for milk in your oil pan by now, but you didn't mention if you did or not. I'm sorry, but this sounds to me like a possible cyclindar crack, or combination HG and rings.

Broken ringland on #2. Don't bother doing any further diagnosis IMO.

Rebuild, here i come. Is there anywhere else i can get a rebuild kit where it doesn't take up to a year for it to come like howell?? anyone that has had a good experience with someone else, please tell. All i hear on this forum are horror stories about howell, so I'm trying to stay clear of them

oem or forged components?

Originally posted by Chamuko
oem or forged components?

forged

I got one laying around lol

Originally posted by Chamuko
I got one laying around lol

pm sent! please respond

you can also try to buy the parts seperately and have a machine shop put it together

I get my JE's from SALES@AJCUSTOMS.COM, (865)908-9699,(877)803-6511. $480 shipped with rings.

Eagle rods $400, ARP studs $100 from Summit
http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=egnsearch.asp&N=115+4294886834&Ne=1&NeXID=1

MLS HG and seals all from Satan

Gatorback Timingbelt, accessory belts, and clevite bearings from Autozone

All other timing parts (incl 95 bearings) from Partsdinosaur http://www.store.partsdinosaur.com/page29.html

I have a crane and some 420a-specific tools... Currently Kaiser and I are both doing engine work so we dont have any spare time or space, but if you get stuck lemme know.

thanks Dan, i will definitely contact you if i get stuck, but will try my best not to bother you :D Thanks for the links too.

Hey man, I'm probably the most local guy to you, if you need help this saturday gimme a call. That's the only day I have to spare anytime soon

Originally posted by ez
Hey man, I'm probably the most local guy to you, if you need help this saturday gimme a call. That's the only day I have to spare anytime soon

hey ez, thanks, much appreciated. However, i don't think I will be doing any rebuild this saturday; however, when i do begin, if you're available to lend a hand, i will definitely consider it. thanks bud.

Originally posted by 96rs-t
Rebuild, here i come. Is there anywhere else i can get a rebuild kit where it doesn't take up to a year for it to come like howell?? anyone that has had a good experience with someone else, please tell. All i hear on this forum are horror stories about howell, so I'm trying to stay clear of them

Modern Performance can over night you one that is where i got mine. very fast :thumbsup I also have a set of stock bearings laying around

Originally posted by 97esiboosted

Originally posted by 96rs-t Rebuild, here i come. Is there anywhere else i can get a rebuild kit where it doesn't take up to a year for it to come like howell?? anyone that has had a good experience with someone else, please tell. All i hear on this forum are horror stories about howell, so I'm trying to stay clear of them

Modern Performance can over night you one that is where i got mine. very fast :thumbsup I also have a set of stock bearings laying around

hey thanks for the link, never even thought about them, and if they be sending overnight parts like japan, then i'll most likely buy there. Waiting on Chamuko's reply about his block tho. Contact me Chamuko!!

Is howell the only one that sells long rods?

Check with Concept Illusions I am on there site all the time. It takes them 3-4 weeks though they say on their site.